In a painstaking process this alternate history storyline has been researched and is presented for your entertainment.
By using historical documents from the US Joint Chiefs of Staff we know exactly what the contingency plans were in the case of an expected Soviet attack in 1946.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

This is nuts. Who ever thought that Stalin would actually come through on one of his promises? Here I am once again in command of the good ship Samthar on my way from Gdansk to Portsmouth. My cargo is 2,000 fellow British subjects. Unbelievable! They just let us go. No conditions, no hidden cargo, no spies I hope. It just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Especially when the orders come from Stalin himself I was told. I can’t believe I’ll be seeing Susan soon. What a night that will be…hell who has to wait for the night. I wonder if she’ll want to get married this time…

“You seem lost in thought Captain.”

“Yes I was. I can’t believe they just let us go like that.”

“Hell of a thing sir eh. I’ll be back in Montreal in no time. I’ll get to see Emily, Jeff, Donny. Why’d they do it sir?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea number one. We’ve search the ship from stem to stern and nothing. No bombs or hidden compartments…nothing but the old tub we came into Gdansk on. I guess we’ll have to let the politicians work this one out. Maybe someone paid for us but I doubt it.”

“From what I heard Stalin doesn’t do many humanitarian gestures. Did you hear the rumors about all those Polish guys? You know the one’s who were in the Polish underground. Rumors are that they were offered a flag of truce guaranteed by Stalin himself and then arrested and tortured put on trial and sent off never to be never heard of again.”

“Yeah and how about that bunch of officers and Polish leaders killed right after the Russians took over their part of Poland in 1939.”

“Well so far everything appears as it seems with this deal.”

“I bet those troopers will are really feeling bloody alright. Imagine, surrendering to the enemy within days of the start of World War Three and then being sent home with only 4 months of captivity. Not like those poor bastards who did the same thing in 1940 and spent 5 years under the German boot.”

The sea was almost calm. It was especially calm for September. They could still stop us in a number of places along the way. Just outside of Copenhagen and the old Samthar was doing her job. Pushing up a good bow wave. We were told to keep it under 5 knots for some reason. The time is 1423 hours. I wonder if the ships log is to be found. I’ve never seen the Baltic look so beautiful as it does slipping behind in our wake. I wonder if I’ll ever come back. Not likely. I never did like the Baltic. Too much to run into. Too much to think about. Too many countries on it’s shores.

“You drifting off again Captain?”

“A little day dreaming I guess number one. I’m going below for a short one. I‘ve been up since 0300. Keep me informed if you need to. You have the con Number One.”